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Fleas and Ticks Treatment in Overland Park

Fleas and ticks can make your pet physically uncomfortable and can also endanger his or her health. Knowing how to prevent your pet from getting fleas and ticks and how to treat this problem properly can help you take care of your pet in Overland Park Kansas.

How Your Pet Can Get Fleas and Ticks

Fleas are primarily introduced to pets through exposure to other animals and exposed surfaces. If your pet interacts with a pet that has fleas, or if your pet lays down on carpeting with fleas or spends any time outdoors, then the fleas may transfer to your pet's body.

Ticks latch onto your pet outside, where they wait on tall grasses and in yard debris.

Prevention

The best way to prevent fleas and ticks is by using a good quality flea and/or tick preventative regularly. This should be done until we get two to three hard freezes. There are many good products to choose from, including topical, oral and collars. All products are not created equal, so give us a call and we can make appropriate recommendations for your needs.

To additionally protect your pet from ticks, keep your yard well maintained. Compost or dispose of organic debris quickly, and keep your grass well-trimmed. This is especially important if your pet is an outdoor animal and spends a lot of time roaming around your yard.

Symptoms & Treatment

Pets with fleas and ticks may spend a lot of time itching their bodies in one particular area. Some pets itch their bodies so much that they develop skin irritation and hot spots. This can lead to a painful infection.

If you notice that your pet is spending a lot of time shaking his or her head, scratching a specific area of his or her body or is developing a condition like hives, this could be indicative of a problem. If your pet has a tick, you may also notice that your pet has a small, hard lump on his or her skin. Treatment varies depending on what is wrong.

Fleas

To treat fleas, use a flea product recommended by our hospital. Be sure to check and see if the shampoo you have is appropriate to use with the flea product you have.

Ticks

To remove a tick, use tweezers to pull the tick straight up out of your pet's body. Do not allow the head to lodge in your pet's skin.

If your pet is spending an unusual amount of time scratching or biting, or has evidence of skin irritation and/ or infection, it's time for an examination. Our veterinarians will assess your pet and help to formulate a treatment plan accordingly.

Contact Our Overland Park Veterinarian Today

If your pet has fleas or ticks, consult with our Overland Park veterinarian. At Nall Hills Animal Hospital, we can help guide you through the process of protecting your pet from fleas and ticks. Call us today at (913) 341-8836.